Ida B Wells
WEB Du Bois
Geronimo Pratt
Sojourner Truth
Bayard Rustin
Fannie Lou Hamer
Angela Davis
Diane Nash
Bobby Seale
Kwame Ture
James Baldwin
Shirley Chisholm
Ralph Bunche
Asa Phillip Randolph
Medgar Evers
Martin Delany
Mary Church Terrell
DeMeco Ryans built an entirely new culture in Houston with one word: SWARM.
But it's not just a word - it's an acronym.
A simple, memorable, and a powerful way to emphasize what they're looking for.
"Swarm mentality is just an acronym for I want to build my team with guys who have a special work ethic and a relentless mindset. And that's where the Swarm mentality came in."
S.W.A.R.M. = Special Work Ethic And a Relentless Mindset
"That's what the Texan culture will be about - swarming. It's attacking everything."
But SWARM isn't just about defense. It's all-encompassing.
"It involves teamwork. It involves togetherness. How you attack issues and problems - it's swarming this thing all together. How are you gonna attack a defense or offense? It's those 11 guys out there swarming together on the field."
This is what culture looks like when it's built with intention:
1: Get the Right People - Culture starts with who you let in the building. Talent without character is a liability. Ryans' filter is simple: "If it's a guy and I got mixed reports on him...next."
2: Keep It Simple, Play Fast - Complexity doesn't win games. Mastery of the basics does. Your players can't play fast if they're thinking. Simplicity creates speed.
3: Coach The Details, Not The Outcome - Good players can have bad habits. Great coaches see past the result. "In big games...it's not the wow plays. It's who can be consistent, who can not screw it up the most."
4: Be Demanding Without Disrespecting - High standards don't require low respect. You can push hard without tearing down. "You can be demanding without being disrespectful."
5: Let Leaders Be Themselves - Leadership isn't one style. Quiet leaders lead by example. Loud leaders lead by voice. Both work. Ryans tells every player: "I want you to be yourself."
Culture isn't a sign on the wall - it's what you emphasize, tolerate, and allow.
Special Work Ethic. Relentless Mindset.
That's SWARM and the Texans standard.
(🎥@PatMcAfeeShow)
i have this deep and unshakable faith that everything will work out for me. there may be times where things look and feel slow to come to fruition but i never let go of that faith, it keeps me going.